Berkman returns to Rice as volunteer coach

When he retires from playing baseball, Lance Berkman has a job lined up.

Call him “Coach Berkman.”

Berkman has joined coach Wayne Graham’s staff as a volunteer assistant, returning to Rice where he was a two-time All-American and national player of the year in 1997.

Berkman, 36, will work as a volunteer this spring and has an open invitation to stay with the staff regardless of whether the free-agent first baseman plays a 15th major league season.

“Coaching is something I want to pursue after I am done playing,” Berkman said. “If you have any aspirations to be a college baseball coach, the one guy you want to learn from is coach Graham.”

Berkman said the position on the Rice staff “gives me flexibility” in case he decides to play another season.

“Having flexibility if I want to play another year or two was important,” Berkman said. “If I decide to hang it up, I have something to step into immediately.”

Astros may be an option

Berkman had an informal meeting with Astros owner Jim Crane last week and expressed interest in returning to the team for which he played the first 12 seasons of his career. The switch-hitter could be an option at designated hitter with the Astros moving to the American League next season.

Berkman worked with Rice players during fall workouts with the Owls’ staff short-handed following the departure of assistant coach Mike Taylor.

A mentor

Graham said Berkman could serve as a student assistant next fall. Berkman plans to begin taking online courses next summer and needs about a year to complete his degree.

Berkman will work with hitters and serve as mentor to the Rice first basemen, Graham said.

“He brings instant credibility as a person and as a hitter,” Graham said. “He loves coaching, and the kids just love hanging out with him. If he could just avoid telling too many stories about me.”

Berkman holds several Rice records, including home runs in a single season (41) and in a career (67).

After 12 seasons with the Astros, Berkman spent the final few months of the 2010 seasons with the New York Yankees and the past two seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, winning a World Series title in 2011.

He’s a six-time National League All-Star.

Berkman hit .301 with 31 home runs and 94 RBIs during the Cardinals’ championship run, earning the NL comeback player of the year award.

But he was limited to 81 at-bats this season because of a knee injury.

Contender or coach

Graham said Berkman “wants to play for a contender” if he plays this season.